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Reflections on Life, Culture, Torah and Family Thu, 22 Feb 2018 06:24:36 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngedjewcatorhttps://edjewcator.wordpress.com
Leaning in With the Orthodox Communityhttps://edjewcator.wordpress.com/2013/12/24/leaning-in-with-the-orthodox-community/
https://edjewcator.wordpress.com/2013/12/24/leaning-in-with-the-orthodox-community/#respondTue, 24 Dec 2013 05:42:22 +0000http://edjewcator.wordpress.com/?p=10Tonight was the first public, open event of the Orthodox Leadership Project, a group of which I am a founding member. The theme of the night’s panel discussion, “Leaning in with the Orthodox Community,” focused on strategic ways to broaden the landscape of Orthodox leadership and included panelists who themselves are all accomplished female, Orthodox leaders. The fact that over 100 women and men gathered on the Upper West Side on a chilly, rainy, late December night, most coming after a full day of work or school, is a testament to the desire on the part of so many to be a part of the conversation, and ultimately move the Orthodox community to a place where the leadership landscape is equitable, diversified, and therefore enriched.

Each panelist shared her trajectory to a position of leadership, some taking more deliberate steps to get there, others finding themselves there after saying “yes” to a series of opportunities that presented themselves. Dr. Rivkah Blau spoke about the way her early leadership experiences building a Jewish community at Barnard helped to prepare her for roles that she took on later in life, as school administrator and community educator. Blu Greenberg discussed how attending a conference changed her life, and how important it is to say yes to leadership opportunities and avenues of advancement that will “lead you to where you want to be in 40 years.” Rachel Friedman discussed her transition from a career in law, to a career in teaching, pursuing her passion and contributing to the community in a way that spoke to her personal strengths.

The conversation ranged from the involvement of women in ritual life, to a discussion of “titles” for female Orthodox spiritual leaders, to how we educate our youth to inform their values and solidify their commitment to a shared leadership landscape. As the hour became late, a discussion ensued about how to navigate the often complicated and messy balance of family needs with communal involvement and professional ambition. While most of the conversation was distinctively “Orthodox” in its orientation, this last piece is one that could have and does take place in any forum about “leaning in.” At what point have we stretched the blanket to its maximum, leaving cold toes exposed? How to decide between attendance at a child’s siddur play and an important Board meeting? Are there points in time where one needs to “lean out” in order to allow others to “lean in”? How to create a shared landscape in the domestic sphere to enable one in the professional and communal arena? These are just a few of the issues that came up in the hours, for most of us, between work and life. Hefty issues, larger conversations, broad desires for growth, change, more equitable leadership. and enriched lives. The room was buzzing with conversation as I snuck out to catch my ride home, with assertions being challenged, questions raised, and networks forming.

I am excited and inspired by the fact that what started as a small cohort of women, seeking to create a network of support and resources, and who came together to provide mentorship and guidance, is well on its way to becoming a catalyst for change and opportunity in the Orthodox community.

]]>https://edjewcator.wordpress.com/2013/12/24/leaning-in-with-the-orthodox-community/feed/0shechtkollerFireside Reflectionshttps://edjewcator.wordpress.com/2013/12/20/5/
https://edjewcator.wordpress.com/2013/12/20/5/#respondFri, 20 Dec 2013 05:37:57 +0000http://edjewcator.wordpress.com/?p=5The past year has been filled with milestones, blessings, long “to do” lists on my Google drive, and many opportunities for reflection. Over the course of the year my husband and I have purchased, renovated and moved into a new home, had our third child, stepped up in our professional careers and communal involvement, and are now weeks away from celebrating our eldest’s Bat-Mitzvah. The age differential of our children and the spectrum of their experiences has been front and center in my mind as I look at our growing family and guide its development. Watching my almost-twelve-year-old-daughter wake up in the middle of the night to bring us our crying baby when we are too tired to hear him, I am struck with wonder at how fast the time has passed, and how seamlessly we have moved from one stage to the next, amassing thoughts, ideas, adventures and experiences to build and create what is now our life. It is one that at times feels simultaneously chaotic and creative, messy and meaningful, exhausting and exhilarating. It is filled with deeply cherished moments and opportunities for love, engaging ideas and spiritual striving. While up close things may often look messy, with art projects and backpacks flying across the living room and remnants of flour from baking challah covering the iPad used for homework left out on the table, from a distance things seem to be falling into place.

As I look to this week’s Parsha, Parshat Shemot, I am struck by a similar pace and movement in the life of our leader, Moshe. In this one Parsha, Moshe is born, grows up in the palace, kills a man, runs away, marries, has two kids, finds his calling in life, returns to Egypt and begins the process of liberating the Jewish people. The tempo is quick, and the intensity palpable. Things happen fast, and unless you stop to reflect on where you come from and where you are going, things move by you in a series of isolated events. But with time, tranquility and moments of solitude, those isolated events cohere into a deliberately crafted life.

I spent much time this week in front of a newly uncovered and re-engineered fireplace which had been covered up and buried in the walls of our home for more than sixty years. Our baby is mesmerized by the fire, and so, when I can, I will feed him there with my big kids next to us, quietly gazing into it until all that is left are the glowing embers. Once again, looking at the life of our leader, it is no coincidence that it is in the fire that God finds Moshe and Moshe finds God. Moshe needs the break from routine, the stepping out of reality into the world of the miraculous to recognize the potential that he carries within. The fire provides that opportunity. Like Moshe, we too need the break from reality, the moments of solitude, the peace and tranquility and the glow of the fire to recognize what we are capable of accomplishing.